Monitoring the Diversity of Lizards and Snakes (Reptilia: Squamata), Along the Boyong-Code River Area, Province of Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta

Abstract

A reptile is a group of animal consists of testudines, crocodiles, lizards, and snakes. Most reptiles are capable of occupying wide range of habitats with different environmental conditions. One of the preferred habitats for reptiles is a river. Boyong-Code River is one of the rivers that flow across the Province of Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta (DIY). Research on the diversity of lizards and snakes in the Boyong-Code River has been done in 2012. This research aims to acquire new data on the diversity of herpetofauna in the Boyong-Code River and compare it with 2012 data research. The comparison purpose is to monitor the species diversity dynamics after 5 years. The data of herpetofauna diversity were acquired using a combination of several methods, i.e., VES (Visual Encounter Survey), riverbank cruising, and transect. Sampling areas in 2012 and 2017 were divided into three locations, i.e., upstream, midstream, and downstream. Species diversity of lizards and snakes in the Boyong-Code River in 2017 consists of eight species of lizards (lacertilians: squamates: reptiles) and four species of snakes (serpents: squamates: reptiles). Species diversity dynamics were equal for lizards in 2012 and 2017; meanwhile, there were more species of snakes in 2012 compared to 2017. Keywords: monitoring, diversity, lizards, snakes, reptiles, squamates, boyong-code river, Daerah Istimewa Yogyakarta